Device for fastening envelopes



(No Model.)

D. E. SWEET DEVICE FOR FASTENING ENVELOPES, &0.

Patented June 26,1883.

UNiTED I STATES- PATENT OFFICE.

DANIELE. SWEET, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

DEVICE FOR FASTENING ENVELOPES,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 279,991, dated June 26, I883.

' Application filed February 27, 1883. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, DANIEL EDWARD SWEET, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Devices for Fastening Envelopes and other Articles, fully described in the following specification and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, forming a part of the same, in which drawings like letters of reference indicate like parts in the several figures.

My invention relates to devices for fastening envelopes, papers, books, boxes, 8:0. 5 and the object is to provide an improved elastic or spring attachment to take the place of common tapes, elastic bands, and clasps for securing such articles in a closed condition, and whereby the fastening and unfastening thereof may be accomplished at pleasure and without trouble and annoyance.

In the drawings, Figures 1 and 2 are views, respectively, of the securing-tag and the closing -hook before and after they are folded. Fig. 3 is a view of the elastic cord; Fig. 4, a view of the three parts secured together, and Figs. 5 and 6 are respectively plan and end views of an envelope with the combined part-s secured thereto. Fig. 7 shows a modified form of the securing-tag before being bent and in-its bent and clamped condition. Figs. 8 and 9 are respectively back and front views, showing the latter form of fastening applied to sheets of paper.

I The securing-tag consists of a blank, A, Fig. 1, made of cloth, paper, or similar material, which has cut in its body a slot, a, of a length about equal to the width of the tongue 1), pro jecting from the lower part of the body. The blank 13, Fig. 2, is of thin sheet met-a1, and the cord or strap 0, Fig. 3, is of any suitable elastic material. The tongue I) of blank A, Fig. 1, is folded upand its free end passed through the slot a and secured by glue or gum to the back of the body, thus forming an eye for the reception of the looped end of the cord 0, the ends of which are then secured, in a fold, f, of the upper end of the blank 13, the lower end whereof is folded into a securing- .hook, e. The back of the body is then glued or gummed fast to the closing-flap h of the en velope D, Fig. 6. The elastic cord or strap is made of such length as that when thus in place on the envelope the seeuring-hook a may be passed over the lower edge, 7', of the envelope, and will be thus held in posit-ion by the cord. (See Figs. 5 and 6.) l

It is obvious that the contents of the envelope may be varied in quantity within wide limits without in any manner affecting the security of the fastening. Greater range of, capacity may be given by employing a longer cord,which will pass round the lower edge, 1', of the envelope and secure the hook e to the upper edge, It, of the envelope when the contents of the envelope havelittle bulk.

In the modification shown in Fig. 7 the securing-tag is made of thin sheet metal, having at the end of its body A, opposite the tongue I), a short tongue, (I, both tongues having sharpened or pointed ends I) d. In securing the parts together the tongue I) is bent up, as before, and its end passed through the slot a, beyond which it is bent out at right angles to the body, and the tongue (I is bent back similarly parallel to tongue'b. The sharpened points 1/ and d are then passed through the flap h of the envelope and clamped down on its inner side, the cord and hook being securedin the eye formed by tongue I), as before.

Instead of looping the cord 0 through the eye and the fold f, as described, a single-ply cord may be employed, having its ends passed into the holes 9 in the tongue and hook and there secured.

The employment of my invention as a fastening for sheets of paper is illustrated in Figs.

8 and 9. In this instance, when the tongues I) and d are in their parallel position, Fig. 7, their sharpened points I) and d are passed through the sheets of paper E and bent down upon the side thereof opposite the body A, thus securing the sheets together, with the cord extending from the outer edge of the thus bound sheets. The sheets may then be folded two or more times, and the hook B being passed over the folded edge opposite that from which the cord extends, the sheets will be held securely in their folded condition. Of course the device, including the tag A, Fig. 1, may be similarly applied to sheets of paper.

8. The combination of a fiistening-tag, having a slot, (1, and tongues b and d, with an elastic cord or strap, 0, and a securing-hook, B.

4. The combination, with'an envelope, of a fastening-tag, secured to its flap and provided with the elastic cord or strap, and the securinghook, all substantially as described.

DANIEL EDWVARD SWEET.

\Vitnesses:

EDWD. D. L. SWEET, FRANK S. Voer. 

